by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars filled their need for a possible franchise center in Tyler Seguin and the Boston Bruins added a much-needed scorer in Loui Eriksson when they completed a seven-player trade on the eve of the NHL free agent signing period.

"This is a big trade by both teams," said Dallas general manager Jim Nill. "It wasn't an easy trade for either party to make. We both gave up great players and great assets."

The key for the Bruins is picking up Eriksson to replace scorer Nathan Horton, who is expected to sign elsewhere Friday as an unrestricted free agent, Eriksson had 12 goals and 37 points in 48 games this season, but in the four previous seasons, he averaged 29 goals a season.

"He's a very good player, and he's kind of been hidden down here in Dallas," Nill said.

Boston general manager Chiarelli listed Eriksson's speed and reputation for strong defensive play as a primary motivation for making the deal.

Dallas coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Seguin, who played wing often in Boston, will be used as a center, meaning Jamie Benn can move back to wing.

"We are looking at him as someone who can play with Benn," Ruff said. "It's a position we wanted to fill. It's a natural position for Tyler."

Seguin said he is excited to be moving back to center.

"When I play center, I feel like I can generate more speed coming out of the zone and create more odd-man rushes," he said.

The Peverley addition is also important because he's also a center, and finding multiple centers was a priority of the Stars.

"They are both right-handed shots, which you don't find a lot of," Nill said. "This gives a good mix of centers and one weakness we had in Dallas was we had no depth at center."

Morrow is a former first round pick, and he came to Dallas from Pittsburgh in the Brenden Morrow trade last spring. Chiarelli said he believes when Morrow finished developing he will be a top four defenseman.

Nill, who became the Stars' GM this offseason, said Seguin is not an unknown to him.

"I watched Tyler when he was (in junior hockey) in Plymouth, (Mich.), " Nill said. "I saw him grow up as a junior and become a great pro. We are very fortunate he played with the Boston Bruins because they do things right."

Seguin is 21, and he had 16 goals and 32 points in 48 games this season. He had 29 goals in 2011-12.

"He has had great coaching, great fundementals and he has built a great foundation," Nill said. "We look forward to him taking a leadership role down in Dallas."

Seguin's contract pays him an average of $5.75 million over the next six years, and Peverley has two years remaining at $3.25 million. Eriksson's contract has three seasons remaining at $4.25 million a season.

"The moves allow us some cap relief," Chiarelli said.

The Bruins have to re-sign restricted free agent goalie Tuukka Rask, and this helps create more cap space to get that accomplished.